Baby carrier

ABSTRACT

A baby carrier comprising: a tie panel; a first bandolier sling in which a baby may be held, the sling having two ends attached to the tie panel; and a second bandolier that crosses over the first bandolier sling and has two ends that are attached to the tie panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the invention relate to baby carriers

BACKGROUND

Various types of wearable baby carriers that are configured to enable aperson to wear the carriers comfortably and safely carry a baby thereinare known. Among the various types of wearable baby carriers are frontand back carriers comprising a seat or “pouch” for holding the baby onthe chest or back of a person wearing the carrier, and an arrangement ofstraps and/or belts attached to the pouch for securing the pouch to thewearer. Typically the straps and/or belts comprise shoulder straps thatare looped over the wearer's shoulder and a belt strap that is buckledaround the wearer's waist. U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,857 describes a backpacktype baby carrier. US Design Patent D509,056 shows a front-pack babycarrier.

Sling baby carriers usually comprise a “bandolier” sling of materialthat is slung over a shoulder to form a “hammock” into which a baby maybe placed to be held on the wearer's chest. U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,887describes a sling baby carrier having a set of rings through which anend of the sling is looped so that its length is adjustable. U.S. Pat.No. 6,595,396 describes a sling baby carrier formed with a seat regionand a cord for securing a baby in the seat.

SUMMARY

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to providing asling baby carrier that provides enhanced support for a baby held in thecarrier.

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to providing asling baby carrier that provides improved distribution of a baby'sweight on the body of a person carrying the baby in the carrier.

An aspect of some embodiments of the invention relates to providing abandolier sling for holding and carrying a baby having an improvedcontour for securely holding a baby.

In an embodiment of the invention, a sling baby carrier, hereinafteralso referred to as a “LoopiX” baby carrier, comprises two crossedbandolier slings of material suitable for cradling a baby that arejoined at a junction. Optionally, the bandolier slings are attached to asame “tie panel” at the junction. Optionally, each bandolier comprises asingle length of material, optionally the material comprises a knitand/or an elastic cloth.

A wearer carrying a baby in the LoopiX baby carrier optionally wears thebaby carrier with the tie panel on the wearer's back. Each bandolierextends from the tie panel over a different shoulder to cross over thewearer's chest, and pass under the arm of an opposite shoulder back tothe tie panel. One of the bandoliers lies closer to the wearer's chestand holds the baby, optionally hammock-like. The other of the bandolierscrosses over the closer bandolier and aids in holding and/or enwrappingthe baby and securing the baby in place in the first bandolier. In somesituations, a wearer may choose to wear the LoopiX carrier with the tiepanel on his or her chest and the baby held in the nearer of thebandolier slings on the wearer's back.

In some embodiments of the invention, rather than the crossed bandolierslings being attached to a same tie panel, the bandoliers are fastenedto each other along a region where they cross, overlap and/or abut eachother. For example, the bandoliers may be sewn or knotted together alonga region where they cross each other.

In some embodiments of the invention a tie panel is formed having apouch into which the bandolier slings may be inserted and stored forconvenience when the LoopiX baby carrier is not in use. Optionally, twosubstantially congruent pieces of material, such as a fabric or suitableflexible plastic, are joined together, for example by sewing, aroundtheir edges to form a tie panel having a carrying pouch. A portion ofthe edges are not joined to leave an opening for the pouch. Optionally,the pouch is a “zipper pouch”, formed from a tie panel and a piece ofmaterial, substantially congruent with the tie panel, which arepermanently joined only along relatively short portions of their edges.The remaining portions of their edges are reversibly joined by at leastone fastener, for example, by a zipper, or by a hook and loop fastener,such as a Velcro fastener, to form a pouch for enclosing the bandolierslings.

By holding and securing the baby using crossed bandoliers of materialthat pass over different shoulders, a LoopiX baby carrier, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention, distributes the weight of the babyto both of a wearer's shoulders rather than one shoulder, as is commonwith many conventional sling baby carriers. The crossed bandolier slingsalso contribute to maintaining the baby securely in place and allow thewearer greater freedom of motion and use of his or her hands than aconventional sling carrier.

In an embodiment of the invention, a bandolier sling in a LoopiX babycarrier comprises a length of soft material formed having a relativelynarrow stiffened longitudinal region, hereinafter also referred to as a“spine line”, extending along its length substantially in the middle ofthe bandolier. The spine line aids in centering and cupping a babyhammock-like in the sling. Optionally, the bandolier is formed from anelastic cloth. Optionally, the stiffened region is provided by insertinga stay formed by way of example from a plastic, rubber, or stiffenedcloth. In some embodiments of the invention a bandolier sling spine lineis formed by sewing a “seam”, for example a double stitched seam, intothe bandolier sling, or stiffening a region of the bandolier sling byimpregnating the region with a stiffening material such as a starch.

In some embodiments of the invention, location of a spine line of abandolier sling is distinguished by a marking, a “spine line marker”,such as by a contrasting color, which indicates the location of thespine line. The marking aids in properly positioning a baby in thebandolier sling. In some embodiments of the invention, a bandolier slingcomprises a spine line marker but not an actual spine line. The spineline marker indicates a central longitudinal region of the bandolier toaid a wearer in positioning a baby in the bandolier.

There is therefore provided in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention, a baby carrier comprising: a tie panel; a first bandoliersling in which a baby may be held, the sling having two ends attached tothe tie panel; and a second bandolier that crosses over the firstbandolier sling and has two ends that are attached to the tie panel.Optionally, at least one of the bandolier slings comprises a softpliable material. Optionally, the bandolier sling comprises a relativelystiff, central, longitudinal region extending lengthwise along at leasta portion of the length of the bandolier sling. Optionally, thestiffened region comprises a stay inserted into the bandolier sling.Optionally, the stay is formed from a plastic. Optionally, the stay isformed from a rubber. Optionally, the stay is formed form a stiffenedcloth. The stiffened region optionally comprises a region of thebandolier sling impregnated with a stiffener. Optionally, the stiffenercomprises a starch.

In some embodiments of the invention, an end of at least one of thebandolier slings is permanently attached to the tie panel.

In some embodiments of the invention, an end of at least one of thebandolier slings is attached to the panel by a fastener that enables thesling length of the bandolier sling to be adjusted. Optionally, thefastener comprises a tie down ring pair. Additionally or alternatively,the fastener optionally comprises a buckle. In some embodiments of theinvention, the fastener comprises a configuration of eyelets and a cord.In some embodiments of the invention, the fastener comprises a Velcrofastener.

In some embodiments of the invention, the fastener comprises aconfiguration of eyelets in the bandolier sling and/or panel and acomponent for coupling to the eyelets. Optionally, the component forcoupling to the eyelets comprises a cord. Additionally or alternatively,the component for coupling to the eyelets optionally comprises a hook.

In some embodiments of the invention, the tie panel comprises a pliablematerial. Optionally, the tie panel is formed from leather. Additionallyor alternatively, the tie panel is optionally formed from a plastic.

In some embodiments of the invention, the tie panel is formed from afabric.

In some embodiments of the invention, the tie panel is contoured toprovide support for a wearer's back. Optionally, the tie panel comprisesa relatively soft material having inserts that provide it with a contourconfigured to support a wearer's back.

In some embodiments of the invention, the bandolier slings and tie panelare formed as a unitary piece. Optionally, the baby carrier is formedfrom a knit material.

In some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the first andsecond bandolier slings comprises a marking that indicates a central,longitudinal region of the bandolier sling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Non-limiting examples of embodiments of the invention are describedbelow with reference to figures attached hereto that are listedfollowing this paragraph. Identical structures, elements or parts thatappear in more than one figure are generally labeled with a same numeralin all the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components andfeatures shown in the figures are chosen for convenience and clarity ofpresentation and are not necessarily shown to scale.

FIGS. 1A-1C schematically show perspective views of LoopiX baby carriersin accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C schematically show a woman carrying her baby in a LoopiXbaby carrier in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A schematically shows another LoopiX baby carrier, in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B schematically shows yet another configuration of a LoopiX babycarrier in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4C schematically show a LoopiX baby carrier comprising a pouchfor storage of the baby carrier, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention; and

FIGS. 5A-5C schematically show a LoopiX baby carrier comprising a“zipper pouch” for storage of the baby carrier, in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A schematically shows a LoopiX baby carrier 20 in accordance withan embodiment of the invention. Baby carrier 20 optionally comprises, afirst, inner bandolier sling 41 of material attached to a tie panel 30and a second, outer bandolier sling 42 of material attached to the tiepanel.

By way of example, tie panel 30 is X-shaped and has a pair of diagonallyopposite edges 31 and 33 and a pair of diagonally opposite edges 32 and34. Optionally, tie panel 30 is formed from a soft cloth or canvasmaterial. In some embodiments of the invention, tie panel 30 is formedfrom a relatively stiff but pliable material, such as leather and/or apliable plastic. Optionally, the stiff but pliable material is coveredwith cloth or canvas. In some embodiments of the invention, tie panel 30is configured to provide added support for a wearer's back. For examplethe tie panel may comprise stays or contoured inserts that stiffen thetie panel and/or provide it with a contour configured to add to usercomfort and reduce back fatigue.

Inner bandolier sling 41 optionally comprises a single length ofmaterial having ends 43 and 45 attached respectively to edges 31 and 33of tie panel 30. Inner bandolier sling 41 is formed from a materialsuitable for cradling a baby, such as a soft natural and/or syntheticcloth, and/or knit, and/or canvas material. Optionally the bandoliersling material comprises an elastic material. Similarly, outer bandoliersling 42 comprises an optionally single length of material having ends44 and 46 attached respectively to edges 32 and 34 of tie panel 30.Optionally, outer bandolier sling 42 is formed from a same material fromwhich inner bandolier sling 41 is formed.

Any of various methods and techniques known in the art may be used toattach bandolier slings 41 and 42 to tie panel 30. Inner bandolier sling41 and/or outer bandolier sling 42 may be attached to tie panel 30 bysewing, or in the case of synthetic materials, by welding or bonding.Optionally, inner bandolier sling 41 and/or outer bandolier sling 42 isattached to tie panel 30 using hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcrofasteners. Whereas tie panel 30 shown in FIG. 1A has an “X” shape, thetie panel is not limited to such a shape and may have any of variousother shapes such as, by way of example, a square, hexagonal or roundshape. FIG. 1B schematically shows an LoopiX baby carrier 21 having acircular tie panel 36.

It is noted that whereas in FIGS. 1A and 1B, LoopiX baby carriers areshown having bandolier slings attached to a tie panel, which isoriginally not connected to the bandolier slings, in some embodiments ofthe invention, a LoopiX baby carrier is formed as a unitary piece, forexample by knitting.

In some embodiments of the invention, at least inner bandolier sling 41is formed having a central longitudinal region 50, i.e. a spine line,which is marked or otherwise differentiated relative to the materialfrom which the bandolier sling is formed. By way of example, in FIGS. 1Aand 1B both bandolier slings are shown having a spine line 50.Optionally, the spine lines are formed by inserting a stay (not shown)formed from a suitable, material, such as, by way of example, a plastic,rubber or canvas, into the bandolier sling. Optionally, spine lines 50are formed by impregnating the material from which the bandolier slingsare formed with a dye or starch. In some embodiments of the invention,as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, spine lines 50 are formed by stitching alongitudinal seam into bandolier slings 41 and 42.

In some embodiments of the invention, a LoopiX baby carrier comprisesbandolier slings that can be adjusted to accommodate different sizewearers and different size babies. FIG. 1C schematically shows a LoopiXbaby carrier 120 having adjustable inner and outer bandolier slings 141and 142 respectively attached to a tie panel 136. Tie panel 136optionally comprises two pairs 150 of tie down rings 151. Each bandoliersling optionally has a first end 143 permanently attached to tie panel136 and a second adjustable end 144. Adjustable end 144 of eachbandolier sling 141 and 142 is looped through a corresponding tie downring-pair 150 by a length which leaves a desired length, hereinafter“sling length”, of the bandolier sling on a side of tie down panel 136opposite to that on which ring-pairs 150 are located. By looping alonger or a shorter length of a bandolier sling 141 or 142 of Loopi Xbaby carrier 120, the sling length of the bandolier sling can beadjusted to accommodate respectively a smaller or larger wearer and/or asmaller or larger baby to be carried in the baby.

Whereas, in FIG. 1C each bandolier sling 141 and 142 is attached to tiepanel by a single ring-pair at only one of its ends, a bandolier sling,in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, may of course beattached to a tie panel by a ring-pair at each of its ends.Additionally, an adjustable bandolier sling may be attached to a tiepanel, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, with otherthan a pair of tie down ring-pair. For example an adjustable bandoliersling may be attached to a tie panel with a knot, a buckle, a Velcro®fastener, a configuration of eyelets in the bandolier sling and/or paneland a cord, or hook.

FIGS. 2A -2C schematically show a mother 100 carrying her child 101 invarious position in an LoopiX baby carrier 20 similar to that shown inFIG. 1A, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 2A the mother has the baby cradled hammock-like inside innerbandolier sling 41 with its head near her left shoulder. To cradle thebaby comfortably in the orientation shown in FIG. 2, LoopiX baby carrier20 is worn with inner bandolier 41 slung over her left shoulder. If themother prefers to have the baby oriented with its head near her rightshoulder, all the mother has to do is wear LoopiX rotated by 90°relative to the orientation of LoopiX baby carrier 20 shown in FIG. 2A.Rotating LoopiX 20 by 90° orients LoopiX so that inner bandolier sling41 loops over the mother's right shoulder. FIG. 2B schematically showsmother 100 cradling her baby hammock-like in LoopiX baby carrier 20 withthe baby's head near her right shoulder.

Whereas FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically show baby 101 held hammock-like inLoopiX baby carrier 20, an LoopiX baby carrier in accordance with anembodiment of the invention is not limited to holding a baby in ahammock-like position. FIG. 2C schematically shows baby 101 being heldby its mother 100 in an upright sitting position.

It is noted that in the positions shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the crossedbandolier slings of an LoopiX baby carrier provide for carrying a babywith enhanced stability and security. In addition, the crossed bandolierslings distribute a baby's weight more symmetrically on the wearer'sbody than conventional sling carriers to provide greater wearer comfortand reduce wearer fatigue when carrying a baby.

Whereas FIGS. 1A-2C schematically show an LoopiX baby carrier comprisinga tie panel, an LoopiX baby carrier can be configured without a tiepanel, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3Aschematically shows a LoopiX baby carrier 22 having crossed bandolierslings 61 and 62 that are joined by sewing them together at a junction70 instead of attaching them to a tie panel. FIG. 3B schematically showsan LoopiX baby carrier 23 comprising bandolier slings 63 and 64 that arejoined by knotting at a junction 71.

FIGS. 4A-4C schematically show a LoopiX baby carrier 220 comprisinginner and outer bandolier slings 241 and 242 fastened to a tie panel 230constructed, to form a pouch for storing and carrying the baby carrierwhen it is not in use, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention. Tie panel 230 is hereinafter also referred to as pouch 230.Pouch 230 is optionally formed from two pieces 231 and 232 of fabricthat are fastened together along most, but not all, of the lengths oftheir edges 233. Portions 234, of the edges are not joined so as toleave an opening 235 for the pouch. The figures schematically showLoopiX baby carrier 220 in different dispositions that illustratefunctioning of the pouch.

In FIG. 4A LoopiX baby carrier 220 is shown “unpacked” and ready forbeing worn to carry a baby. In FIG. 4B a user of the baby carrier ispreparing to pack the baby carrier into pouch 230 for convenient storageand carrying. To store the baby carrier in pouch 230, the user insertshis or her hand into the pouch to turn it inside out and enclose therebybandolier slings 241 and 242. In FIG. 4B, a portion of the users handthat is inside pouch 230 is indicated by being drawn in dashed lines.FIG. 4C schematically shows LoopiX baby carrier 220 after the user hascompletely turned the pouch inside out to enclose bandolier slings 241and 242. Optionally, pouch 230 has a handle 236, which is exposed toenable easy carrying of the pouch when the bandolier slings are stored.

FIG. 5A schematically shows another LoopiX baby carrier 320 comprisingbandolier slings 341 and 342, and configured to have a zipper carryingpouch 330 for storage and easy carrying of the baby carrier, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention. The figure shows babycarrier 320 with pouch 330 unzipped, the baby carrier unpacked and readyto be worn with slings 341 and 342 extended.

Pouch 330 comprises a tie panel 331 and a matching cover panel 332.Bandolier slings 341 and 342 are attached, for example by sewing, on afirst side 333 of tie panel 331. Tie panel 331 and cover panel 332 haveedges 334 along which they are, optionally permanently, joined. Thepanels have edges 335, which are not permanently joined, but are fitted,optionally, with a zipper 350 so that tie panel 331 and cover panel 332can be zipped together to close pouch 330 with bandolier slings 341 and342 stored inside. Optionally, tie panel 331 and cover panel 332 arefitted with a fastener, such as a snap or hook and loop fastener, tohold cover panel 332 “flat” to tie panel 331 to prevent the cover panelfrom “flapping around” when baby carrier 320 is unpacked and in use. InFIG. 5A, tie panel 331 and cover panel 332 are schematically shownhaving respectively a band 361 of hooks and a matching band 362 of loopsof a hook and loop fastener 363.

FIG. 5B schematically shows bandolier slings 341 and 342 twisted andfolded onto tie panel 331 ready to be zipped inside pouch 330. FIG. 5Cschematically shows pouch 330 zipped closed with slings 341 and 342inside.

In the description and claims of the present application, each of theverbs, “comprise” “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are usedto indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily acomplete listing of components, elements or parts of the subject orsubjects of the verb.

Descriptions of embodiments of the invention in the present applicationare provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scopeof the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features,not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Someembodiments utilize only some of the features or possible combinationsof the features. Variations of embodiments of the invention that aredescribed, and embodiments of the invention comprising differentcombinations of features noted in the described embodiments, will occurto persons of the art. The scope of the invention is limited only by theclaims.

1. A baby carrier comprising: a tie panel; a first bandolier sling inwhich a baby may be held, the sling having two ends attached to the tiepanel; and a second bandolier that crosses over the first bandoliersling and has two ends that are attached to the tie panel; wherein thetie panel comprises two pieces of material joined along edges to form apouch into which the bandolier slings may be inserted.
 2. (canceled) 3.A baby carrier in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bandolier slingcomprises a relatively stiff, central, longitudinal region extendinglengthwise along at least a portion of the length of the bandoliersling.
 4. A baby carrier in accordance with claim 3, wherein thestiffened region comprises a stay inserted into the bandolier sling. 5.A baby carrier in accordance with claim 4, wherein the stay is formedfrom a plastic.
 6. A baby carrier in accordance with claim 4, whereinthe stay is formed from a rubber.
 7. A baby carrier in accordance withclaim 4, wherein the stay is formed form a stiffened cloth.
 8. A babycarrier in accordance with claim 4, wherein the stiffened regioncomprises a region of the bandolier sling impregnated with a stiffener.9. A baby carrier in accordance with claim 8, wherein the stiffenercomprises a starch.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A baby carrier in accordance withclaim 1, wherein an end of at least one of the bandolier slings isattached to the panel by a fastener that enables the sling length of thebandolier sling to be adjusted. 12-22. (canceled)
 23. A baby carrier inaccordance with claim 1 wherein the tie panel is contoured to providesupport for a wearer's back.
 24. A baby carrier in accordance with claim23 wherein the tie panel comprises a relatively soft material havinginserts that provide it with a contour configured to support a wearer'sback.
 25. A baby carrier in accordance with claim 1 wherein thebandolier slings and tie panel are formed as a unitary piece. 26-28.(canceled)
 29. A baby carrier in accordance with claim 1 wherein thepouch comprises the tie panel and a piece of material joined to the tiepanel.
 30. A baby carrier in accordance with claim 1 wherein the tiepanel and the piece of material are joined by a zipper.
 31. A babycarrier in accordance with claim 1 wherein at least one of the first andsecond bandolier slings comprises a marking that indicates a central,longitudinal region of the bandolier sling.